There are several ways to help with paying for college.  

GRANTS - Financial aid, usually based on financial need, that does not need to be repaid.

SCHOLARSHIPS - Money awarded to students based on academic or other achievements to help pay for education expenses.

LOANS - Borrowing money from the federal government or a college is called taking out a loan.  A loan must be paid back with an additional interest added.  This method of paying for college should be avoided as much as possible, although many times, some borrowing may have to occur.  Students want to graduate from college with as little debt as possible.

WORK-STUDY - The Federal Work-Study Program offers paid part-time jobs to help students pay for part of their college costs.  This money is not available up front to pay tuition.  Work-study can be earned throughout the academic year.

CAUTION - Never PAY for a group or company to help you find free financial aid.  There are many scam groups out there that will promise for a fee, sometimes $19.99, they will give you a list of scholarships.  These lists are free.  If they can get 500,000 people nationwide to purchase these lists, they just made 10 million dollars.  Links to reputable search engines are listed in the Scholarship Search tab.